I’m curious as to how much people back for an average 7 day trip. I know of a lot of people including my girlfriend who pack like their moving to another country for good. I mean for heavens sake. A one week trip and we have enough clothes for a little village in Tibet. I normally don’t bring more then 2 pairs of swimsuits but my girlfriend on the other hand brings one for each day of the trip. I guess it’s a girl thing. Do you over or under pack?

With the weather outside hitting all time lows, i’m thinking about going a short vacation to a nice warm destination. I’m not sure exactly where yet but where ever it is it’s got to be better then the 20-30 degrees we’ve been having here in the North East. Perhaps I’ll check out some last minute Greek Island holidays or something along those lines. As long as there is sun, sand, surf and drinks then i am all for it. The greek islands don’t sound that bad. Can anyone recommend a good destination in Greece for beaches and blue water?

Most people now a days research and book their vacation online, at least 99% of the people I know do it online but did you know you can find some great deals in travel magazines? A friend of mine recently found a insane deal for a 7 day cruise to the Caribbean for almost next to nothing. So the next time you’re in your local book store, check out the travel magazines and look through the advertisements, you would be surprised at some of the deals in there!

Looking to take a trip to paradise? Well look no further, I found a great website that features 60 paradise islands to choose from. Theres detailed information on each gorgeous island from Mustique to St. Barts. When traveling to one these islands it’s all about the sun, sun and more sun. Your skin can easily burn in under 15 minutes if you’re not wearing UVA & UVB sunblock with a SPF of at least 30.

My Honda 450R is currently in the garage stored away for the winter but when it gets warm I plan to take it out for some fun in the dirt and mud. There’s a great location in PA, not sure of the exact location (only been there once) but it’s an abandoned coal mine with hundreds of acres to ride on. Best of all its free! I usually go with quading my with nephew and he rides an artic cat atv, not sure of the exact model but it moves.

Choosing a travel agency to take care of all your needs to not as simple as it sounds, if you don’t have any good referrals from friends on family you might as well just blind fold yourself and pick one out of the phone book. Always be sure to look for testimonials, direct contact numbers and reviews from other guests on independent 3rd party websites. For example, check out Leisuretime VIP, they have a video testimonials section from previous clients. Testimonials from previous guests will give you a good idea if an agency is worth booking with or not.

The next time you travel to another foreign country especially the ones where poverty is high you should really take a quick language class before heading on the plane. For example, if you were to take a trip to the rain forests in Venezuela you should take spanish classes online just so that you can get by in case if an emergency because in the rain forests, you’re not going to find an information booth and a translator. If you get stuck or lost in the middle of no where, a few simple phrases can save your life.

Scouting deer and coming up with a creative hunting strategy is what separates the successful hunters from the unsuccessful ones.

There are many factors to look for when scouting for deer including; knowing the area and finding the trails they like to use, understanding a deers tracks or prints that it leaves in it’s path, identifying feeding areas, droppings, beds, scrapes, and rubs.

Rubs can be the most important sign to look for when hunting for bucks. As they tend to rub their antlers against trees, scraping the bark off and leaving visual proof of where they travel, making them more susceptable to experienced hunters by providing these obvious clues. Also, the more mature bucks tend to be alot more aggressive than the smaller, younger ones, sometimes leaving the tree torn to shreds. Identifying rubs can help determine which direction a buck is travelling in, and when finding multiple rubs it’s easy to determine its’ chosen path. They usually rub the side of the tree they are approaching from.

Deer also leave distinctive indentations where they sleep. A deer bed is just vegetation that has been cleared away or flattened, usually surrounded by plants and bushes to provide cover from predators and weather.

Scrapes are areas on the ground where the deer has pawed away the leaves and urinated in the soil to attract does in heat. They will do this below a tree branch where they can also leave a scent. Scrapes can be found on a trail that is not immediately evident to the hunters eyes, but after close examination you can determine the entry and exit points.

Droppings are a tell-tale sign of deer activity in a given area, and freshness provides proof of recently used trails. When found near a thick growth of shrubs or small trees they could give you an idea of where a deer has been sleeping or living. Mature deer often leave the small pellets near their beds, before heading out for the day or night. Deer feces varies in colour from greenish-brown when fresh, to brown-black or even gray when aged.

Deer tracks are another sign to look for, and an experienced hunter uses these to his advantage when scouting. Fresh well-defined tracks might be only hours old, while dry eroded tracks might be from a few days ago. Bucks usually travel alone, leaving only a single set of tracks, whereas the does leave behind several sets of tracks as they like to travel in groups. The size and spacing of the tracks can also help you to get an idea of the size of the deer.

Feeding areas for deer can be found in agricultural fields, abandoned apple orchards, an oak stand, or in an area with lots of edible leaves and shoots. Keep an eye out for droppings, chewed fruit, and fresh tracks.

Always remember to get to know the area you are hunting in, or go with someone who does. Getting to know an area you plan to hunt in can make the difference between whether or not you come home with a big beautiful buck, or just a hurt ego.

Hiking and camping can provide some of the greatest fun you can have in the great outdoors. The quality of your equipment goes a long way to creating either a wonderful experience that you’ll want to repeat or a nightmare that you’d rather forget.

How to choose the right camping and hiking equipment
A hiking and camping adventure can be a great test of your resourcefulness. Purchasing the equipment used for hiking and camping can prove to be the first challenge!

Price
Cheap camping or hiking equipment often appears attractive at first glance; however it rarely proves a sound investment. There are exceptions of course – aren’t there always? You can sometimes make large savings when buying last year’s model; whether it is a tent, a backpack or a pair of hiking boots, fashions change and the equipment manufacturers regularly update their lines. If you can find a genuine sale of quality brand products then you may be able to make substantial savings.

Stick with known brands that provide a guarantee with their product. Quality brands will rarely let you down – you don’t want to find yourself on the trail with faulty hiking gear!

Hiking Boots
Do invest in a good pair of hiking boots. There are many top quality brands to choose from – the decision is more about the type of terrain you are likely to be hiking in and the weight of the boot. Waterproof hiking boots will cost you more but they are almost always worth the additional price. You can’t guarantee the weather when you are out hiking and wet boots will lead to blisters and great discomfort.

There are several reputable online retailers of hiking boots. But, a word of warning … before purchasing hiking boots online always ensure you’ve tried on the boots in a retail store. Uncomfortable boots can cause misery on your hiking trip and have the potential for causing danger if you cannot maintain your footing due to discomfort.

When purchasing hiking boots look for sturdy uppers made from leather or a combination of leather and nylon, breathable liners, reinforced rubber heels, well constructed toes and solid arch support. Soles will usually be rubber or a combination of rubber and polyurethane.

Don’t forget good quality hiking socks – preferably wool.

Tents
When choosing your tent, consider the seasons in which you like to hike and go camping. A hiker who enjoys camping late into the fall may require a four-season tent or even a convertible tent. The downside to the four-season tent is the additional weight – they are often 10 to 20 percent heavier than a three season style. A convertible tent will allow you to adjust the ventilation and to add and remove poles as required.

Three-season tents are designed for use from spring through to fall in temperate climates. Whilst they are unlikely to collapse under and inch or two of snow, a heavier snow fall may cause problems. Four-season tents usually incorporate extra poles to strengthen the walls against strong winds and heavy snow falls. These tents are usually dome-shaped so that there are no flat surfaces where snow can accumulate.

Convertible tents are designed for four seasons but usually allow the removal of one or more poles to convert them into three-season tents.

When purchasing a tent pay attention to the capacity rating suggested by the manufacturer – these sometimes tend to be over optimistic. Check out the tent in its assembled form and see if there is enough space. If you are looking for a two-person tent then test it out with your camping partner and make sure there is enough room for your gear – not just you and your sleeping bags.

Always use a ground sheet or tarpaulin under your tent. It will protect the underside from tearing and extend the life of your tent.

Sleeping Bags
A sleeping bag keeps you warm by trapping air inside that is warmed by your body heat. Sleeping bags have a comfort rating which represents the minimum temperature in which the user should be comfortable. For example a user of a +30 sleeping bag should remain comfortable in areas where the temperature is not below 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Comfort ratings on sleeping bags should be used as a guide only. If you have a choice (and the budget) pick the sleeping bag that provides more warmth.

Down or synthetic?
A synthetic sleeping bag is usually the best choice for kids and beginner hikers. It is cheaper, it dries more quickly if it gets wet but it is heavier. Down is usually the choice of the experienced hiker. It has extraordinary insulating properties and offers tremendous warmth. It can be compacted into a small space and it will outperform a synthetic sleeping for years (or perhaps decades). Down is a lot more expensive than synthetic but considering its life expectancy it could be considered an investment. If there is a downside it is that if it gets wet it takes a long while to dry.

Shape
Mummies – close-fitting, narrow bags with a fitted hood. They are wider at the shoulder and taper to a narrow foot space. Their shape can be restrictive but their narrowness makes them efficient users of space, they offer great heat retention and they are often light in weight.

Rectangular – these are usually warm weather sleeping bags; they have room to move, they tend to be heavy and/or bulky. They’re useful for children or family camping holidays but are not used by backpackers or serious hikers because their inadequate insulation and their bulkiness. Their shape allows too much heat to escape the bag.

Semi-Rectangular – wide at the shoulders and hips but narrow at the feet. There is more space than a mummy bag which means there is more air to keep warm but they can be a good choice for someone who doesn’t like the restriction of a mummy bag. Some models have hoods.

This is only a start on the equipment used for hiking, however, it will serve as an introduction to some of the gear you will find when you visit your local camping store.

Alison Stevens is an online author and maintains The Hiking And Camping Website to assist hikers, campers and backpackers to choose the right equipment.

One child pretends to sleep in a sleeping bag at the front of the circle. She puts out three camping items (binoculars, water bottle, flashlight, etc.) While “sleeping” the bear (another child) sneaks and steals an object. The class yells “Wake up” and the sleeping child guesses which item was taken and three chances to guess who the bear was. The bear then gets a turn to sleep and the game continues.Go on a scavenger hunt for nature items. First have each child decorate a paper bag and write name on it. Then as a group go for a walk outside and collect different items. I made a list and then drew the picture next to the word. I also read the items aloud as we walked to remind them what they are looking for. (yellow leaf, rock, bug, stick, etc.) We had a lot of fun!

Have all the kids sit in the tent with the lights out. I stand outside with die cuts and a flash light and hold up a die cut. The kids inside the tent guess what the object is. I use a leaf, sailboat, sun, etc.

Ah soh koh
Everyone sits in a circle, and learns the 3 commands and their movements.
1) Ah – the person says “Ah” loudly, and takes their left or right arm across their chest, pointing at the person next to them
2) Soh - the person says “Soh” loudly, and takes their left or right arm above their head, pointing at the person next to them
3) Koh – the person puts both arms together in front of them and point to someone else, anywhere in the circle.
The phrases must always go in that order, and each phrase needs its correct hand motion. You go when you are pointed at by someone next to you using “ah” or “soh,” or by someone across from you using “koh.” When you are “koh”ed at by someone you can either start again with “Ah” or put your hands up and say “nooooooo.” If you say “noooooooo” then the person who said “koh” has to start again with “Ah.” If you mess up, you step out of the circle and walk around the outside trying to confuse people by shouting random words.

Button, Button
One person sits in the middle of a circle of children. A button is passed around behind the backs of the children. The child in the center closes her eyes while the passing continues. When everyone says, “Button, Button, who has the button? She opens her eyes. She then has three chances to guess who has the button.
Button, Button
One person sits in the middle of a circle of children. A button is passed around behind the backs of the children. The child in the center closes her eyes while the passing continues. When everyone says, “Button, Button, who has the button? She opens her eyes. She then has three chances to guess who has the button.

Clothes Pin Seven-Ups
Description
Give each person 7 clothes pins. On ‘go’ each person must get rid of their clothes pins by pinning them on someone else. Only one pin per person!! The game continues for about 5 mins, or more depending on how much fun you’re having.

Pigs Fly
The children should stand in a group facing the leader. Each child should have enough room to make full “flapping” movements with their arms. The leader calls out “Ducks Fly” , “Owls Fly” , “Pigs Fly”…and so on. If the animal that is called out really does fly, the children should continue flapping their “wings”. If the anilmal is the type that does not fly, then the children should stop flapping.

Silly Symphony
The purpose of this game is to discover the beautiful sounds that can be created by the natural objects in our environment.
Each player is given 10- 15 minutes to find objects in nature that make a noise when banged together, or blown on, or rubbed together. Players bring back their ‘instruments’ and a conductor is chosen, who organizes the group into a semi -circular orchestra.
Each musician is allowed to ‘tune’ his instrument, so the rest of the group can hear the different sounds. If a player can play more than one instrument at the same time, he is welcome to do so. The conductor can then choose a familiar tune with an easy rhythm, and lead his orchestra in song. Let the players make requests for songs they would like to play;
give musicians the opportunity to work on ’solos’ that they can perform for everyone.

Balloon Baseball
Description
Players are divided into two teams. Each team designates a pitcher who pitches to his own team. Each batter gets two pitches to hit a balloon with his fist. If the ball is hit, the fielding team tries to blow the balloon to the ground before the batter runs around the bases. If they do not, a run is scored. Play continues until everyone on the batting team has been “up to bat”. Then, the inning is over and teams switch places. The game continues for a specified number of innings.

Bubble Gum Art
Give each participant a piece of bubble gum to chew, a toothpick and an index card. Allow them 10 minutes to chew the gum, place gum on index card and then design something on index card using only the toothpick as a tool (No Hands). The person with the best and most creative design is the winner. If you have quite a few players you can have several categories of winners, like “most ingenious”, “most creative” and of course the “What is that?” Award.

The Best Actor/Actress
Set this up like its an award ceremony and the entire group is in attendance. Each camper will get a chance to win the “Best Actor Award”(this can be just about anything you can get your hands on…the more outrageous the better…like a toilet brush). When it is their turn, they get up in front of the group and give an acceptance speech thanking all of the people who helped them achieve such a “prestigious” award. They should also remember to mention the name of the movie they won the award for.

Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of things that can be found around a campsite or on a hiking trail, and see who can find the items fastest. If you’re in an area where nature shouldn’t be disturbed, kids can identify things by sight.

Flashlight Walks
Taking a walk in the dark is a bit daring, even eerie, and full of unusual sights and sounds. While it’s still daylight, have one parent scout out a short, safe trail near your site. Then, after dark, give each child a flashlight, and slowly walk along the trail. Focus on such details as a pair of glowing eyes staring back from a tree branch, or a glistening spiderweb. Ask your kids to describe what they see. When you’ve covered a few dozen yards, turn off the flashlights, have everyone be quiet, and listen to the provocative sounds of night. If a child gets scared, quickly turn the flashlights back on.